Atonement(19)
I nodded. “I need to get away and this seems like the best time to do it. I miss my dad like crazy but life goes on and lately, I’ve had a hard time of doing that. Your father suggested the trip and now that I have had a chance to consider my options, it’s for the best. Staying here in Seattle, wallowing over my loss and feeling sorry for myself hasn’t helped. I just feel like everyone—my mom, Caitlyn—has moved on and I’m just stuck in this place of inertia all on my own. It sucks and if the trip can help me snap out of it then it’s all good, right?”
“True,” he replied as his eyes glazed over. He seemed to be deep in thought as a feeling of guilt washed over his face. It was weird because I barely knew the guy and the last thing I needed was yet another person showering me with pity.
Colin delivered the drinks and Liam’s mood did a one-eighty as he grabbed them and I was forced to make my way through the crowded bar. We finally found an unused booth in the back and sat down. Miraculously, he hadn’t spilt any of our drinks and the dirty martinis were perfect as usual.
The moment I tasted mine, I knew Colin was some sort of genius when it came to mixing drinks. It was absolutely lovely with just the amount of each ingredient and the drink went down smoothly.
“Okay, let’s get this out of the way because I don’t want to cause any rifts between you and your brother. I like you, you’re a decent guy but nothing is going to happen between us, is that clear?” I announced after I’d worked my way through half my martini.
“Wow. It really isn’t like that. Colin and I are just super competitive but I know how much he likes you and I am certainly not trying to herd in on his territory. What can I say? I enjoy busting his balls and making him crazy jealous but I respect you two like each other and I wouldn’t dare try to get you in bed with me. Not intentionally at least…” he trailed off.
“Well then maybe you oughta slow down your alcohol intake or you might do something you’ll regret and then I’ll have to use my self-defense skills.”
Liam downed his dirty martini and held his hands up in truce mode. “Hey, we wouldn’t want that. All I know is you are a beautiful young woman and Colin told me you went to our Alma Mater. A Harvard grad, eh? What did you get your Bachelors in?”
“Business Administration. I was working on my PhD when my dad’s accident happened so technically, I have my Bachelors and MBA but I don’t have my PhD. Not that it matters but I thought I should mention that.”
“You’re qualified enough and besides the position is a dream for a professional student like you. I’m going to rescue you from a life of volunteering and not doing much else. Eventually, you will have to get a job. A resume filled with college degrees and volunteer work is great but not every company is as progressive as ours. We like to spot talent and from where I am sitting, you have it coming out of your pores if you were to apply yourself,” Liam explained all business-like all the sudden despite his level of intoxication.
I snickered. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to offer me a job. It’s kind of hard to start a round of interviews when I will be out of the country for the next month or so.”
“Actually, you wouldn’t have to interview for the position. I am a partner with a controlling interest in uConnect. I want someone for the company, my partners aren’t going to even question my decision. The job is yours if you want it. After you get back from Europe. Elaine doesn’t leave until four months from now anyway but you can shadow her for the first three months and once she does leave, you should be okay to hit the ground off and running.”
I leaned against my arm as the alcohol I’d consumed on an empty stomach began to catch up with me. “So, what is this position?”
“Human Resources manager. Yeah, I know, you have a MBA but that makes you more than capable for the position. The salary is six figures and the benefits are excellent. Not quite two months vacation but you do get twenty days vacation as long as you’re willing to not take it all at one time. The hours are pretty normal. You might have to work some overtime but nothing too drastic. How does that sound you?”
I finished the rest of my dirty martini. “Seriously, why are you doing this for me? Is this some kind of pity offering or is it because I know Colin?”
Liam’s blue eyes stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “You’re highly qualified and to be honest, we’re a pretty incestuous company. We don’t hire much from the outside. People just continue to move up the ranks and we actually run an internship program. Those who are successful get a job at the bottom and they have the ability to work their way up. It’s perfect and it keeps the company young, vibrant and full of people with fresh, new ideas.